The Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC) announced today that a subsidiary of LVI Services Inc., the nation’s leader in environmental remediation, will serve as the new subcontractor to complete the abatement and deconstruction of 130 Liberty Street.

LVI is the largest remediation and facility services firm in the United States and has completed more than 15,000 abatement projects since 2000.In 2005 and 2006, LVI was ranked the top asbestos abatement contractor in the country by Engineering News-Record, the leading construction magazine in the United States.

“LVI Environmental Services Inc., a subsidiary of LVI Services Inc., welcomes the opportunity to work with the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation and the community on the cleanup and demolition of 130 Liberty Street,” said Robert McNamara, President and CEO of LVI Services Inc.“We view our work on this project as a chance to further contribute to the vital redevelopment of the World Trade Center complex.LVI was on site in New York and Washington, D.C. immediately following the 9/11 attacks.We continue to perform abatement and demolition work at the Pentagon, and we are protecting the safety of our employees and the thousands who work in and visit the site daily.It is our pledge to perform the job at 130 Liberty Street in the same safe manner for the protection of our employees and the community.”

The retention of LVI comes as LMDC nears completion of the extensive interim safety measures that were undertaken in the aftermath of the tragic August 18, 2007 fire.These measures were devised in close consultation with various federal, State and City agencies that identified a number of additional steps to ensure the safety of first responders, nearby residents, and workers in the building.

This post-fire work included (1) the removal of all the previously-required plywood barriers and hatches that previously separated the floors of the building; (2) the construction of two fire-rated stairwells through the 20th floor of the building; (3) the resealing of the building; and (4) temporary shoring of area damaged by the fire.

Since the fire, LMDC has been working closely with its partners at the EPA, State Department of Labor, Department of Buildings, FDNY, Department of Environmental Protection and the Office of Emergency Management to make all necessary adjustments or clarifications to the deconstruction and implementation plan to further protect first responders, workers and area residents.The selection of LVI Services guarantees that the abatement and deconstruction of the building will be conducted in the safest and most expeditious manner possible.

“LVI Services Inc. was founded in and is based in New York City, with its corporate headquarters just blocks from the World Trade Center site, and, as such, we have a vested interest in the progress of this city.We are proud of our 20-plus years in the industry as the largest asbestos abatement contractor in the nation, our excellent safety record and our experience with complex projects,” stated LVI Services President Robert McNamara.